Norman & the Stinking Space Goo is a fun, quirky middle-grade sci-fi story about a comic-book-loving boy who accidentally gets covered in alien goo and ends up with a very unusual problem that quickly turns into something much bigger. What starts as a gross, chaotic situation gradually shifts into a light superhero-style story, with Norman trying to understand what happened to him and what he can actually do about it.
What I enjoyed most was the playful feel. The story is silly in a good way, with plenty of gross humor, family chaos, and comic-book energy running through it. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which works well for the audience. Norman is an easy character to follow, especially for younger readers who like superheroes, aliens, and oddball adventures.
It’s very much a light, imaginative read for kids who enjoy weird situations and humor that gets a little messy. The friendship with Wendell, the science-minded kid, adds a nice balance, giving the story a bit of structure alongside the chaos.
I think this would be a good fit for middle-grade readers, especially reluctant readers or kids who enjoy funny sci-fi adventures. It moves quickly, is easy to follow, and leans into its premise in a fun way. Overall, a wholesome, goofy, and enjoyable read.
What I enjoyed most was the playful feel. The story is silly in a good way, with plenty of gross humor, family chaos, and comic-book energy running through it. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which works well for the audience. Norman is an easy character to follow, especially for younger readers who like superheroes, aliens, and oddball adventures.
It’s very much a light, imaginative read for kids who enjoy weird situations and humor that gets a little messy. The friendship with Wendell, the science-minded kid, adds a nice balance, giving the story a bit of structure alongside the chaos.
I think this would be a good fit for middle-grade readers, especially reluctant readers or kids who enjoy funny sci-fi adventures. It moves quickly, is easy to follow, and leans into its premise in a fun way. Overall, a wholesome, goofy, and enjoyable read.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This is a collection of short stories from different authors, all centered around cats in very different ways. Some lean into fantasy or sci-fi, others feel more grounded, and there are also a few real-life pieces about cat rescue. Because it’s an anthology, the tone and style vary quite a bit, but that actually kept it interesting.
A few stories stood out to me. Strangely Familiar was a strong opener with the whole mage and feline familiar idea. Ginger and the Bully of Lowergate Court felt more grounded and character-driven, and it stuck with me because it captured the personality and tension around cats in an everyday setting. Cat 7 Purricane was on the lighter side and added a bit of humor, which helped balance things out.
What really ties the whole book together is the purpose behind it. This isn’t just a random set of stories. You can feel that it comes from people who genuinely care about feral cats and rescue work. The inclusion of real-life insights around TNR and rescue challenges added context and made the book feel like more than just entertainment.
Wishing the team much success with this and future projects, and I hope they keep up the wonderful work supporting these animals.
A few stories stood out to me. Strangely Familiar was a strong opener with the whole mage and feline familiar idea. Ginger and the Bully of Lowergate Court felt more grounded and character-driven, and it stuck with me because it captured the personality and tension around cats in an everyday setting. Cat 7 Purricane was on the lighter side and added a bit of humor, which helped balance things out.
What really ties the whole book together is the purpose behind it. This isn’t just a random set of stories. You can feel that it comes from people who genuinely care about feral cats and rescue work. The inclusion of real-life insights around TNR and rescue challenges added context and made the book feel like more than just entertainment.
Wishing the team much success with this and future projects, and I hope they keep up the wonderful work supporting these animals.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I picked this up because I’ve always been curious about Balkan folk stories and Baba Roga is one of those names that pops up a lot in the region. What I liked about this version is that it doesn’t try to turn the story into something loud or over-explained. It keeps that slightly mysterious tone that old folk tales tend to have.
The writing is very simple and the story moves slowly, almost like someone telling it around a fire. The forest, the cottage on chicken legs, and Baba Roga herself all feel more strange than scary, which I think works well for younger readers. It leaves a bit unsaid, which is actually part of the charm.
It’s a short read but it does a good job introducing a traditional Balkan character in a way that feels respectful to the original folklore. If you enjoy children’s books that draw from traditional stories or want something a little different from the usual fairy tales, this is worth checking out.
The writing is very simple and the story moves slowly, almost like someone telling it around a fire. The forest, the cottage on chicken legs, and Baba Roga herself all feel more strange than scary, which I think works well for younger readers. It leaves a bit unsaid, which is actually part of the charm.
It’s a short read but it does a good job introducing a traditional Balkan character in a way that feels respectful to the original folklore. If you enjoy children’s books that draw from traditional stories or want something a little different from the usual fairy tales, this is worth checking out.